Remote Access Technology: Is it Blurring the Lines of Work and Leisure?

Remote Access Will Soon Be The Norm.

Currently, remote access work solutions are a hot topic in the tax and accounting industry. What was once considered a rarely implemented work arrangement has now grown in popularity nationwide. Who can blame professionals for wanting greater work flexibility? However, concerns do linger with regard to the risk of blurring the lines between work hours and off-time. Does remote access make you the captain of your calendar, or does it enable the workaholic in all of us?

Is Technology Taking Away From Time Off?

This is an honest concern, so lets look at the validity of this opinion. Does remote access mean you’re never really “off the clock”? While it is possible that remote access tools could be abused to the extent that professionals feel captive to the priorities of the office, it seldom happens. In fact, in the rare cases where off-time is infringed upon, the true problem may be a poorly trained staff member, rather than their ability to reach you for questions. Fortunately, training and self-improvement courses are readily accessible to help business owners strengthen staff competencies. In cases where firms have capable staff in place; remote access is an overwhelming benefit to professionals, and actually free up more personal time for leisure pursuits.

Benefits To Remote Access Tools.

The benefits to implementing remote access capabilities within your firm are numerous. In fact, for every negative argument made for remote access technology; more convincing arguments can be made for the positives it brings.

Remote access solutions provide the following benefits (just to name a few):

Flexibility to manage family and personal activities– In the past, a partner or senior manager’s involvement in a project meant needing to be physically present in the office. Not anymore. Remote access empowers staff and leadership with the confidence to make decisions whether near or far from the office. Now attending your daughter’s dance recital is possible. Enjoy the memories!

Greater accountability from staff– On occasion when firm leaders must be away from the office, there could be the tendency for subordinate staff to disengage from a project. However, by having the capability to conveniently “check-in” on current projects, managers can insure that in-office staff are working with the same efficiency, as if management were on-site.

Ability to attract top talent to your team– Today’s younger generation of tax and accounting pros expect a more dynamic work environment where remote work options are the norm. Your ability to attract and retain the best employees is key to your long term success of having more free time. Better employees mean being able to confidently work yourself out of a job or particular task, which makes free time truly “free time”.

The Wrap Up.

Views toward embracing remote access tools in your office are often swayed by attitudes to change. Professionals that are resistant to the general concept of changing the status quo, are not going to be swayed easily. Consequently, professionals that take an optimistic approach to process changes will sway to the benefits of disrupting the status quo. While the previous points made in promotion of adopting remote access are strong, perhaps the best evidence are the opinions of those who have made the switch. Make a point to ask someone that has moved to remote access technology. However, you might find the subject direct a question back to you. That question is likely to be, “Why haven’t you made the switch yet?”.